Mushfiqur, Nasir tons power Bangladeshis

Mushfiqur, Nasir tons power Bangladeshis

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hits one over the top during the first day's play of the three-day practice match against St Kitts and Nevis at St Kitts on Saturday. PHOTO: WICB

Centuries from captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Nasir Hossain helped Bangladeshis put up a strong first innings score of 377 for 7 in the three-day practice match against against St Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park in St Kitts yesterday.

In reply, St Kitts and Nevis were 144-2 in 37 overs with Jeffers hitting an unbeaten 110 and Chanderpaul 14 not out. Medium pacer Rubel Hussain with figure of 11-0-65-1 is the lone successful bowler. He had Martina (9) smartly caught by Mushfiquir Rahim when the score was 77.

The Mushfiqur-Nasir pair shared a 191-run stand for the seventh wicket which helped the Tigers recover from early hiccups. The partnership ended with Nasir getting bowled in the 104th over. That is when Mushfiqur decided to declare. Earlier the Tigers had finished the first day on 330 for 6 on Saturday.

The match, being played with 13 members-per-side, saw Bangladesh field all their available batsmen. However the Bangladeshis only got a move on after the arrival of Mushfiqur and Nasir, who came in at seven and eight respectively.

Mushfiqur finished on an unbeaten 106, while Nasir was bowled immediately after reaching his century yesterday.

After electing to bat in rainy conditions, Bangladesh's top-order stumbled quickly. It was a much needed partnership for the visitors who were struggling at 186 for 6. Both players batted at a similar pace. While Mushfiqur scored three sixes and seven fours, Nasir hit nine fours and two sixes. Despite ending the first innings on a positive note, Bangladesh's batting display depicted plenty of concerns.

Shamsur Rahman was the first to go for 10 after he was caught behind off Quinton Boatswain in the fourth over. Tamim Iqbal followed next after scoring 20 runs, in similar fashion and the Tigers were reduced to 45 for 2 at the end of 16 overs.

Mominul Haque's torrid time with the bat continued as he edged one to second slip and was sent back to the pavilion for just 10 runs. Perhaps the frustrating aspect about the left-hander's departure was that he was dropped in the slips just an over before his eventual dismissal.

Imrul Kayes and Shuvagata Hom lost their wickets in the forties after settling in. Imrul became Boatswain's second victim and was sent back to the pavilion after a 60-ball 44. Shuvagata, who is hoping to make his Test debut in this series, played a similarly aggressive innings. He scored eight boundaries in his 55-ball 48 before being run out in the 54th over.

Anamul Haque was the only specialist batsman not to get a chance to bat in the first innings. A traditional opener, the team management may play Anamul down the order in a move that was never tried before.

Pacer Al-Amin Hossain is the only member in the squad not taking part in this three-day game. Pacers Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam and Robiul Islam have been included in the side and will have their first go in this three-dayer. Slow-left armer Taijul Islam is the only specialist spinner in the side.

The first Test between the two sides will begin on September 5 at St Vincent.

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